International Day of Older Persons: Celebration brings local community together

A community celebration at Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre saw 70 local people come together to mark International Day of Older Persons.

Started by the United Nations in 1991, International Day of Older Persons takes place annually on the 1 October 2023, and raises awareness of the challenges faced by the ageing population.

A major challenge faced by the older people of today is social isolation, with Age UK reporting that 1.4 million older people in the UK are:- 'chronically lonely.'

To combat this challenge Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre and 1 Vision Housing partnered up to deliver a free event that saw 70 older people in Sefton come together for afternoon tea and entertainment from Steve Charles.

Pauline, an attendee from the local community said:- "Thank you to everyone involved in organising such a lovely afternoon at the Centre today. Great company, great entertainment from Steve Charles. My mum had a lovely day."

Customers from 1 of the housing association's Independent Living schemes also attended the event and said:-

George:- "It was lovely to come out together."
Carol:- "What a pleasant afternoon, thank you."

One Vision Housing provides over 13.6k homes across the North West, and as part of The Sovini Group works closely with partner organisations like Netherton Park Neighbourhood Centre to forge a better future for communities.

Ian Mitchell, Managing Director of Housing said:- "As part of The Sovini Group we believe in creating a better future for the communities we serve. This event is a prime example of how, by partnering with organisations at the centre of our neighbourhoods, we can make real positive differences and change the lives of older people."

A total of £15,000 is available each year for voluntary and community groups through the housing association's Community Development Fund.

To learn more about, please visit:- OVH.Org.UK.

CHILDREN aged 10 and under are invited to write a short story for the competition. The author of the winning entry will take home the prize of an iPad, plus £100 vouchers to spend in a Southport Town Centre venue of their choice.

The winning submission will be chosen as the official story of:- 'The Bear and The Reindeer' and will be displayed in Southport Library at The Atkinson over the festive period.

The Story Writing Competition is being held to celebrate the arrival of:- 'The Bear and The Reindeer' illuminated figures for families to enjoy this Christmas period.

The new character installations, provided by Southport BID, will sit either side of the sparkling 60ft LED Christmas tree in Southport's Town Hall Gardens.

The Bear stands at over 18ft tall and the Reindeer stands at over 13ft tall, making them perfect for taking pictures with family members.

Southport's Christmas tree, along with The Bear and The Reindeer will be installed in November.

Southport BID CEO Rachel Fitzgerald said:- "We are inviting young people of Southport and the wider Liverpool City Region to enter a written story based on the characters:- 'The Bear and The Reindeer.' We are looking forward to reading the stories that children create which will really bring alive the magic of Christmas in Southport. Southport is a wonderful place to spend time over the festive season with lots going on. The Bear and The Reindeer will build on the experience of the LED Christmas tree which is 1 of Southport's most popular attractions and brings in thousands of people each year. They will add to more than 200,000 festive lights, the signature Christmas tree, the:- 'Boulevard of Light,' lamppost motifs, overhead welcome signs, roundabout decorations and more trees across the Town Centre."

Submit your story by completing the submission form:- SouthportBid.Com.

The Bear and The Reindeer Story Writing Competition guidelines:-

• All entrants must be aged:- 10 or under.
   

• Only 1 short story can be submitted per entrant.
   

• Stories must not exceed a maximum of 500 words.
   

• Please do not include illustrations.
   

• Submission can be typed and/or handwritten.
   

• The format for submissions must be either:- .pdf, .doc, .jpg, or .png.
   

• You must be willing for your work to be displayed at Southport Library.
   

• You must be willing for your work to be used for promotional purposes by Southport BID.
   

• All entries must be accompanied by permission from a parent / guardian.
   

• Submissions will be assessed by a panel of judges. A shortlist of finalists will be chosen before 1 submission is selected as the overall winner.
   

• The deadline for submissions is 4 November 2023.
   

• The winning and short listed entrants will be contacted no later than November 13 2023.